RELATION BETWEEN FAMILY HISTORY, AGE OF ONSET, RELAPSES OF THE DISORDER AND SERUM CORTISOL, DEHIDROEPIANDROSTERONE SULFAT AND THEIR RATIO IN SCHIZOPHRENIA
Keywords:
schizophrenia, cortisol, DHEA-S, number of relapses, age of onset, family historyAbstract
Family history of schizophrenia is considered to be the strongest risk factor for schizophrenia. Evidence for disturbances in HPA activation and abnormal HPA regulatory mechanisms in schizophrenia is accumulating.
In this clinical prospective study, 60 patients with schizophrenia and 40 healthy subjects, age- and sex-matched control subjects were included. Clinical evaluation of patients was performed using the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale. A questionnaire for socio-demographic and clinical data collection was used. Serum levels of cortisol, DHEA-S and their ratio were measured at baseline in all participants and after 3 and 6 weeks of the antipsychotic treatment in patients with schizophrenia.
Patients with schizophrenia had a significantly higher serum cortisol and DHEA-S levels in comparison to the control group. The age of onset of the disorder did not significantly correlate with serum cortisol levels, DHEA-S and cortisol/DHEA-S ratio. Number of relapses of the disorder significantly correlated with serum DHEA-S levels, but not with serum cortisol levels and cortisol/DHEA-S ratio. Positive family history did not significantly correlate with serum levels of cortisol, DHEA-S and their ratio.
Elevated serum cortisol and DHEA-S in schizophrenic patients might be associated with their role in the pathophysiology of the disorder. There was no significant difference in serum levels of cortisol, DHEA-S and their ratio according to the age of onset of the disorder and positive family history in patients with schizophrenia. Number of relapses of the disorder significantly correlated with serum DHEA-S levels.
References
Family history of schizophrenia is considered to be the strongest risk factor for schizophrenia. Evidence for disturbances in HPA activation and abnormal HPA regulatory mechanisms in schizophrenia is accumulating.
In this clinical prospective study, 60 patients with schizophrenia and 40 healthy subjects, age- and sex-matched control subjects were included. Clinical evaluation of patients was performed using the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale. A questionnaire for socio-demographic and clinical data collection was used. Serum levels of cortisol, DHEA-S and their ratio were measured at baseline in all participants and after 3 and 6 weeks of the antipsychotic treatment in patients with schizophrenia.
Patients with schizophrenia had a significantly higher serum cortisol and DHEA-S levels in comparison to the control group. The age of onset of the disorder did not significantly correlate with serum cortisol levels, DHEA-S and cortisol/DHEA-S ratio. Number of relapses of the disorder significantly correlated with serum DHEA-S levels, but not with serum cortisol levels and cortisol/DHEA-S ratio. Positive family history did not significantly correlate with serum levels of cortisol, DHEA-S and their ratio.
Elevated serum cortisol and DHEA-S in schizophrenic patients might be associated with their role in the pathophysiology of the disorder. There was no significant difference in serum levels of cortisol, DHEA-S and their ratio according to the age of onset of the disorder and positive family history in patients with schizophrenia. Number of relapses of the disorder significantly correlated with serum DHEA-S levels.
